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Since Mary, Queen of Scotland, was a child, the English have wanted her country and her crown. She is sent to France to wed its next King, to save herself and her people, a bond that should protect her, but there are forces that conspire, forces of Darkness, forces of the heart. Long may she reign.

Previously on Reign...[]

MARY: I don't know if I'm ready.
HELEN: To leave here or marry the future King of France?
HELEN: You will wed young Francis someday soon, for your faith, for your people, for Scotland.
KING HENRY: She's here doing her job and her job is waiting for me to decide when you should marry her.
FRANCIS: What matters is what's right for my country.
MARY: You don't want to marry me.


ACT 1:[]

ACT 1, SCENE 1 — THE SCOTTISH BORDER:[]

(A young boy getting water from a well. He turns around to find an English soldier looking at him)

SCOTTISH BOY: We've no quarrel with the English. We're just farmers, but you're welcome to share our breakfast.
ENGLISH SOLDIRS: You're gonna need a lot of eggs.

(The boys sees hundreds of English soldiers making their way over to them on horses)


ACT 1, SCENE 2 — NOSTRADAMUS' ROOM[]

(Nostradamus making something when Catherine comes in)

NOSTRADAMUS: A few grains should help you sleep, but only a few, and not every night.

(Catherine nods. Catherine notices that Nostradamus is having a vision: A sword being drawn, a hawk landing on a tree, battle pieces being moved, a soldier dying and his sword falling out of his hand)

QUEEN CATHERINE: What? Nostradamus. What are you seeing?

(Vision continues: Someone being stabbed with a sword, skin covered in blood)

NOSTRADAMUS: War. And the cost of war.
QUEEN CATHERINE: Where?
NOSTRADAMUS: I don't know. But wherever it is, it will reach inside this castle.


ACT 1, SCENE 3 - BY THE LAKE[]

(Mary and her ladies in waiting are sitting together in the grass laughing)

MARY: All right, Kenna. It's your turn. Not your first, but your best kisser.
KENNA: It was a man, not a boy.
MARY: Who? You must tell us.
KENNA: All I'll say is that there is no point in waiting for boys our own age who have no idea what they're doing. Either find yourself a man or... take care of your needs yourself.

(The girls giggle and Mary blushes)

KENNA: Anyway, I think it's Greer's turn, isn't it?
GREER: My first kiss... is in the very near future. I'm not like you. My family's not titled. I can't afford even little mistakes. But... I think I've found a man. He's tall, dark, and noble. Tomás, the son of the King of Portugal. He's here negotiating some kind of trade deal, but he's taking his time about it, and I think it's to stay with me.
AYLEE: Greer, it's dangerous to get involved with a prince. You know they marry for alliances. Your family are commoners.
GREER: Tomás is a king's bastard like Bash. Favored, too, but with money and land. I'm not a fool. I know a true royal would never look at me except to ruin me. I can take care of myself.

(Horse whining in the distance. A servant runs towards the girls)

SARAH THE SERVANT: Your Majesty, your uncle, Claude de Guise, is here and wishes to see you at once.


ACT 1, SCENE 4 - CLAUDE'S ROOM[]

(Mary enters)

CLAUDE: You look well, Mary.

(Claude bows to Mary and hands her a letter)

CLAUDE: Your mother sends her affection. Read it later. You may be assured the love is in there, as is the news of a crisis in Scotland.
MARY: The English.
CLAUDE: They're massing on the border. And these are not the normal skirmishes. They're out in number. They're looking for weakness, and if they find any...
MARY: We must respond with strength.
CLAUDE: Yes.
MARY: But surely my mother has sent soldiers.
CLAUDE: Of course, but not enough. We need more men.
MARY: Our strongest ally is France. King Henry will help us.
CLAUDE: He's been asked, and he's been slow to answer.

(Claude gestures at Mary to sit down with him)

CLAUDE: You were sent here to secure the alliance by marrying Henry's son - now they're dragging their feet. What happened?
MARY: Nothing happened. They're being politicians. Francis and his father aren't eager to commit to Scotland. They'd rather keep me in a drawer, like a pair of gloves for cold weather. And then when the weather grows cold for France, they'll take me out and I'll be wed.
CLAUDE: They're afraid of what a permanent bond might mean. But right now, we have immediate problems. Scotland needs more troops. As Queen, you must do something.

(Mary nods)


ACT 1, SCENE 5 - THE THRONE ROOM[]

(Mary walks into the throne room where Henry is talking with Francis and his counsel)

KING HENRY: Mary.

(Henry nods and the men disperse out of the room)

KING HENRY: We've been... discussing this business in Scotland. You have my sympathy.
FRANCIS: Father, I believe Her Majesty is here for more than just sympathy.
KING HENRY: Of course. We're sending wagons, gunpowder, supplies for your army...
MARY (cutting him off): Supplies are useless without men. Surely you can spare a few. You have so many more soldiers than we do.
KING HENRY: And... many more borders as well.

(Henry starts walking away and turns around)

KING HENRY: You only have to worry about England. I have England, Spain, a hundred Italian and German principalities...
MARY: You are supposed to be our ally. If our positions were reversed, Scotland would help.

(Henry sighs)

KING HENRY: Mary, I'm sorry.
MARY: Eight companies.

(Henry doesn't respond)

MARY: Six!
KING HENRY: I hope I will have the happiness of seeing you tonight at the entertainments. Yes?

(Henry walk towards Mary and kissed her hand)

MARY: I hope you understand the position you're putting us in.

(Henry clears his throat)

MARY: Lives will be lost.

(Mary leaves the throne room. Francis starts to walk after her, but turns to his father)

FRANCIS: She only asked for six companies.
KING HENRY: And what if we lose those companies? We look weak in England's eyes. So we send more and we lose those. When do we stop? Before or after England decides we're soft prey? At the moment, the Scottish border is quicksand. You know this. A pretty girl doesn't change that fact, even if she happens to be your fiancée. And their queen.

(Francis walks away after Mary. Francis follows Mary as they continue walking)

FRANCIS: Mary. Mary, my father just-- the political situation is complicated.
MARY: Complicated? People will be dying soon. Isn't that complicated enough?
FRANCIS: Mary, I agree with you.

(Mary stops walking and turns to look at Francis)

MARY: You do?
FRANCIS: I think France should help Scotland in this. We're at a tilting point: if England invades Scotland and succeeds, it'll be that much of a stronger enemy to France.
MARY: Then we're on the same side.
FRANCIS: For all the good that it does, one day, if things go well, we'll rule France and Scotland and we'll be together. Now we have no real power. We have to wait.
MARY: No. I'm tired of waiting. And if we have no power, then we must find a way of getting some.


ACT 2:[]

ACT 2, SCENE 1 - OUTSIDE[]

(Mary is running towards a soccer ball. Prince Charles is running after her. Mary kicks the ball and grunts)

CHARLES: Come play with me?
MARY: Happily. Sometimes you just need to kick something.

(Mary and Charles are seen running while kicking the soccer ball)

CHARLES: You're not like a girl.
MARY: What did you think girls were like?
CHARLES: They sit around, afraid they’re gonna mess up their dresses.

(Mary chuckles)

CHARLES: You like to have fun.

(Mary accidentally kicks the ball into a tree, scaring the birds away. It gets stuck on a branch)

MARY: Oh.

(Greer and Prince Tomas are walking the same path as Mary and Charles)

MARY: It's stuck. Maybe you should fetch someone with a ladder. Wait, I've got it!

(Mary gets the ball down, just barely missing Tomás)

GREER: Your Majesty, may I present Tomás of Portugal, lord of Palmela? Tomás, Mary, Queen of Scots.

(Tomás bows)

MARY (slightly embarrassed): Hello.
TOMÁS: Do you often stroll in trees, Your Majesty?
MARY: Um, I climbed up here to fetch Prince Charles' ball, but I guess he got tired of waiting.
TOMÁS: Are you sure? Because from down here, it looks like Scotland attacked Portugal without provocation.

(Mary chuckles)

MARY: Um, turn around so I can come down.
TOMÁS: We may have a diplomatic incident here, Your Majesty.
MARY: Greer, please get your friend to turn around. I can't climb down with him staring up my skirts.

(Greer motions for Tomás to turn around. Tomás turns around. Mary loses her balance and falls out of the tree onto Tomás)

TOMÁS: Oh...

(Tomás and Mary stand up. Tomás is holding his left arm)

GREER: Your arm!
TOMÁS: I'll be fine. (turning towards Mary) Are you all right?
MARY: Yes. I'm so sorry.

(Tomas sighs)

TOMÁS: Just promise, no more attacks from the sky.

(Mary chuckles)

TOMÁS: Portugal surrenders. (turning to Greer) Greer of Kinross, I look forward to seeing you tonight.

(Tomas kisses Greer's hand as she curtsies. Tomás then turns to Mary)

TOMÁS: Your Majesty.

(Tomás bows to Mary and walks away. Greer and Mary turn to each other)

MARY: I might not have made a very good first impression, but I see why you like him.
GREER: Isn't he perfect? I have it all planned. The boating party's coming up. I'll pack a picnic basket, we'll be out there on the lake under the moonlight...
MARY: And nature will take its course. Your first kiss.
GREER: And a beginning, I hope.
MARY: Well, good luck. He definitely looks worth the wait.

(Mary turns and walks away)


ACT 2, SCENE 2 - THE THRONE ROOM[]

(King Henry and Bash are both holding swords, getting ready to spar. Bash strikes first, Henry counters. Both are grunting. They constitute sparing. Henry kicks Bash. Bash falls on his back)

KING HENRY: Your mind's elsewhere. Is it slender Lady Charlotte of plump Lady Isabelle with the breasts like two pigeons, hm?
SEBASTIAN: If I told you, you might poach. You've a liking for pigeon, as I recall.

(Both chuckle. Francis walks in)

FRANCIS: We should help Scotland. Not for Mary but for France.
KING HENRY: By all means, explain.
FRANCIS: When you say that the border is quicksand, you assume that we’ll lose. England hasn’t sent its entire army north.

(Henry looks down.)

FRANCIS: They’re poking to see what reaction they get. We could strike fast, hit back hard and win. But if we do nothing, we risk losing the entire Scottish alliance. Years of planning, wasted.
KING HENRY: So it's a balance of risks either way. Very good. Except I've decided the reasons against outweigh the reasons for. And guess what: I'm king. (looking at Bash) Another round?

(Francis grabs the wooden sword from Bash)

FRANCIS: You never spar with me.
KING HENRY: Is it a good idea for a king to spar with his usurper?
FRANCIS: You mean his inheritor.

(Henry laughs)

FRANCIS: If you win, I shut up about this whole subject. If I win, you send those six companies of men.

(Henry nods. They both get into their stance. Henry strikes first. Henry pushes Francis and Francis glides across the floor. Henry swings the sword at Francis’ head, Francis ducks. Francis unarms Henry)

KING HENRY (panting): Very good, very good.
FRANCIS: When can they leave?
KING HENRY: Oh. No one's going to Scotland.
FRANCIS: But your word, your wager.
KING HENRY: Well, that's what kings do. We make promises to everybody, and whatever works for the realm, we keep. Otherwise, they never happened. Lesson for today.

(Henry leaves the throne room. Bash walks toward Francis)

SEBASTIAN: That's not the way...
FRANCIS: Don't need any more lessons right now.

(Francis hands Bash back the sword then walks away)


ACT 2, SCENE 3 - THE KITCHEN[]

(Greer and Leith are in the kitchen getting the ingredients for her picnic.)

GREER: Bread - the seeded kind. I'm not talking about everyday black bread. Chestnut spread. Strawberry tartlets.
LEITH: Strawberries this late? Uh, I can make you apple tarts.
GREER: Everyone has apple. I wanted something different.
LEITH: Talk to God. He put the strawberries away.
GREER: Fine. But I want the apple tarts that have the honey on top. Baked, so their golden brown, not soggy, to taste fresh, and crisp after two hours in a boat on the lake.
LEITH: You want an awful lot - this must be for someone special.
GREER: Not that it's any of your business, but yes, it's for someone very special. I expect your best.
LEITH: Why don't you just leave the list.

(Leith grabs the list out of Greer's hands)

GREER: But who would read it to you?

(Mary walks into the kitchen)

MARY: Greer? I've been looking for you everywhere.

(Mary grabs an apple and motions to leave. Mary and Greer leave the kitchen. Leith looks at the list and continues to grab ingredients. Mary and Greer start walking around the castle)

MARY: You said Tomás was in from Portugal to negotiate a trade deal. What kind of deal?
GREER: I don't know. Something about buying French timber for ships.
MARY: Ah, that makes sense. They're expanding their fleet - war ships, exploring vessels for the New World. Of course they need timber.
GREER (laughs): Why are we talking about wood?

(Mary and Greer look at each other)

MARY: Because it occurred to me that is a queen can't command what she needs, maybe she can buy it.

(Mary bites into the apple)


ACT 2, SCENE 4 - THE BRIDGE[]

TOMÁS: May I know where you're taking me, Your Majesty?
MARY: I didn't want to be overheard.
TOMÁS: Mm, intriguing. Is it romantic? Conspiratorial?

(Mary smiles)

TOMÁS: May I have a hint?
MARY: It's about timber.
TOMÁS: Timber?
MARY: Timber. Scotland has trees, too, you know. Whatever deal you have with King Henry, I'll do better - if you close the deal now and if you send us men instead of money.
TOMÁS: Your country is in need. But surely, King Henry will help you. I mean, the alliance.

(Mary looks down)

TOMÁS: I see. Well, my father the King empowered me to make whatever deal I think best. And I'd be a fool to turn this down. But... Henry considers our deal almost made. And it's not a small thing to anger a king in his own house. Meet me this afternoon. I'll confirm our transaction then.


ACT 2, SCENE 5 - THE HALLWAY[]

(Henry and Kenna are making out against the wall)

KING HENRY: Come to my bedchamber. Now. The guards are discreet.
KENNA: I want to be with you completely, as a woman, but... as a girl, I need more time.
KING HENRY: How long?

(Kenna exhales)

KING HENRY: When you're ready. Of course.

(Henry and Kenna continue kissing. Kenna breaks away and leaves)


ACT 3[]

ACT 3, SCENE 1 - BY AN OLD CHURCH[]

(Mary and Tomás are on horses riding through the woods. Tomás looks behind him at Mary, Mary smiles. They stop at an old church)

MARY: What is this?
TOMÁS: It’s an old church, made by Louis VII. Meant to last forever, but... nothing does.

(Tomas helps Mary off her horse)

MARY: Why have you brought me here?
TOMÁS: I wanted your advice.

(One of Tomás' servants is holding a box full of jewelry)

TOMÁS: I sent for this from my ship in the bay. The New World has brought us wealth... beyond imagining. Do you think these might make a woman think kindly of me?
MARY: I think you might have a chance, yes.

(Tomás grabs a ring from the jewelry)

TOMÁS: I'm glad you think so.

(Tomás gets down on one knee, with a ring in his hand. Mary is shocked)

MARY: I don't understand. I thought you and Greer were....
TOMÁS: What does Greer have to do with this? She's a lovely girl, but... I've seen you... and I can't look away. There is... there's a wildness in you, as you play, ride, as you climb trees.

(Mary smiles and blushes towards the ground)

TOMÁS: I see your spirit... and I believe it's like mine. Just thoughts I would have kept to myself, but I see your struggle here in France. Left to solve your problems alone. I'd never do that. Never. Wed me. Wed me, and I won't make you wait. Say yes, and you'll have your men. Say yes.

(Mary shrugs)

MARY: Tomas...y-you're kind, you're handsome, you're very charming...
TOMÁS: I sense a refusal.

(Mary sighs)

MARY: But I am a queen. And flattered as I am by your attentions, I must marry a nation, not a man.

(Tomas grabs a paper off his waist and hands it to Mary)

MARY: What is this?
TOMÁS: My father's been writing to the pope, arranging to have me declared legitimate. My father is dying and I'm his only living son. His grandson is next in line, and he's only three years old. My father doesn't trust the regent to save our Portugal. He wants me on the throne. The announcement will be made any day now. So you see, I can lay my heart at your feet, and my country as well. We can save Scotland. If you marry me. Will you?


ACT 3, SCENE 2 - MARY'S CHAMBER[]

(Mary and Aylee are in Mary's Chamber walking to the window)

AYLEE: A real proposal from the future King? What does your uncle think?
MARY: I haven't told him yet.
AYLEE: Because you're worried he'd press you to accept Tomás, and you're not ready to let Francis go? It's all right to admit, Mary.
MARY: I'd be exchanging a man I... admire... for a man I barely know.
AYLEE: And true support for Scotland. Tomás seems nice. Feeling may come in time.
MARY: And what of Greer's feelings? She had her eye on Tomás.
AYLEE: A crown prince would never marry her - she's not even a possibility.
MARY: Well, it's entirely possible that nothing will come of it, and that Tomás will return home to Portugal. I asked him to be discreet while I considered the proposal.


ACT 3, SCENE 3 - BALLROOM[]

(Henry and Kenna are making eye contact across the room while people are dancing around them. Catherine and Nostradamus are talking)

QUEEN CATHERINE: Your vision. Do you know yet how the warfare you saw will reach inside the castle?
NOSTRADAMUS: No.
QUEEN CATHERINE: Maybe you saw the fighting in Scotland. If Mary weds my son, and it causes his death as you predicted, this castle will see violence within its walls like none before. Tell me exactly what you saw.

(Mary walks into the room)

FRANCIS: You look lovely.
MARY: Is the King still refusing to send the men we need?
FRANCIS: I've pushed as hard as I can.
MARY: Well, I know you've done your best. Thank you.

(Mary walks away despite Francis trying to detain her)

FRANCIS: Mary...
KING HENRY: Nostradamus.

(The music stops and all eyes fall on Nostradamus)

KING HENRY: Why don't you share your wisdom with all of us.
NOSTRADAMUS: I don't understand.
KING HENRY: Always at my wife's ear. What do you whisper? I hear Emperor Maximilian has a seer in Prague who can... Tell fortunes using playing cards. Tell the fortunes of Queen Mary and her ladies.
NOSTRADAMUS: Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I'm not skilled at cards and I don't control my visions. They come and go as they will.
QUEEN CATHERINE: Leave him alone, Henry.
KING HENRY: Oh, come, the man must have something to recommend him since you rely so deeply on his counsel.

(Nostradamus walks up to Mary and her ladies)

NOSTRADAMUS: Each of you pick a card. Have your question ready.
LOLA: Will I ever love again?
NOSTRADAMUS: You'll meet a dark, handsome stranger. Be wary of flattery.

(He turns to Mary)

NOSTRADAMUS: Life will offer many challenges. You'll meet them with grace.
KING HENRY: Well, that's not very specific. Give us a fortune, not a platitude. Or is that the best you can do?

(Nostradmus suddenly has a vision and speaks to Mary)

NOSTRADAMUS: The lion will fight the dragon on the field of poppies.
MARY: What?
NOSTRADAMUS: The lion will fight the dragon on the field of poppies.
GREER: Who will I-
NOSTRADAMUS: You'll fall in love with a man with a white mark on his face.
AYLEE: When will I see my family?
NOSTRADAMUS: You'll never go home.
AYLEE: What do you mean "Never go home"?
NOSTRADAMUS: That's all I was given. You know no more than I.

(The atmosphere is tense as everyone remains quiet)

KING HENRY: Well, there's a showman for you. Musicians, dancing music. Enough of this foolishness.

See Also[]

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